Employability officer jobs

Purpose of the job

This role is responsible for the design of UK Youth’s support to young people, youth organisations and youth workers. This could include structured youth work programmes, funding and grants+ programmes, professional development programmes, and campaigns.

You will lead and oversee end-to-end design processes, ensuring that UK Youth develops fully packaged offers that respond to the evidence base and people’s needs, drive forward our strategy and achieve incredible impact. You will work across UK Youth teams, with external design partners, and meaningfully involving young people and the professionals who support them in the design process.

You will be experienced in developing high quality funding propositions (proactively and in response to new business opportunities). You will be confident in taking a human-centred design approach to tackle some of the youth sector’s knottiest problems.  You will design solutions to important problems, ensuring that they are feasible, equitable, impactful and scalable.

In 2026, our priority topics for youth work programmes and network development are: mental health and wellbeing, employability, social cohesion and community safety.

 As a leader, you will work closely with research, evaluation, policy, service delivery, network development, and fundraising teams. You will help to improve the skills and confidence of colleagues across UK Youth to apply design methods in their own work and collaborate effectively with the Design team.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth wants all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving.) In 2026, we will be launching our new strategy, positioning UK Youth to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed, and delivers high-quality outcomes.

 UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference, and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. Come and be part of this change in a driven and supportive team that puts evidence at the heart of our work.

Role Responsibilities

• Designing Solutions

• Developing new business and funding propositions

• Embedding Human Centred Design

• Building a strong external network to support the Design team’s work

• Operations

Experience we're after

• Significant experience of leading and overseeing the development of new business propositions and proposals to time-limited funding opportunities

• Significant experience of designing interventions (digital and/or physical) for young people and/or those who support them 

• Experience using human-centred-design methods and mindsets; managing projects across the end-to-end design process

• Proven track record of inspiring and motivating diverse teams and improving collaborative ways of working across teams and departments

• Experience of developing high quality programme content and curricula for young people, youth workers and/or outdoor learning instructors (desirable)

• Experience of commissioning and managing external design freelancers and consultants (desirable)

• Experience of designing and/or delivering professional development programmes (desirable)

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 23:59pm

Provisional Interview Dates: 12th and 13th January 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Purpose of the job

 The Head of Programmes will lead the strategic planning, delivery, and quality assurance of our youth development programmes. The role is responsible for ensuring high-quality programme implementation, managing key stakeholder relationships, overseeing budgets and resources, and ensuring safeguarding and compliance standards are met.

Key responsibilities

• Programme Delivery, Management & Quality Assurance

• Stakeholder Management

• Planning, Budget and Resource Management

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Leadership and Management

• Safeguarding, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Experience we're after

•  Significant experience in programme management within the youth, education, employability, or mental health sectors.

• ·Strong leadership skills with experience in managing teams and delivery partners.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

• Proven experience in budgeting, resource management, and financial oversight.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding and risk management in youth programmes.

• Ability to use data and evaluation to drive programme improvement.

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

• Excellent strategic and operational planning skills with the ability to successfully manage a diverse and complex programme portfolio.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience developing staff and effectively managing performance.

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practice.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We have influence as a sector-supporting infrastructure body, a direct delivery partner and a campaigner for social change. As outlined in our 2025 #unlockingyouthwork strategy, we believe youth work is a catalyst for change that young people need now more than ever. We play a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment into the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding of how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions.

We are building a movement of change; galvanising likeminded individuals, organisations, government, and businesses from all sectors, to work together and deliver system change for all young people. Together we will create a society that understands, champions, and delivers effective youth work for all.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Monday 8th December 2025 at 10:00am

Provisional Interview Dates: W/C 15th December 2025

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Job Summary

The Head of Operations holds responsibility for our day-to-day delivery, strategic development of our services, and operational team leadership. As our new Head of Operations you will:

• sit on the PiP Senior Management Team and lead our team of circa twenty delivery staff. 
• ensure continuous operational improvement, working with SMT to develop our service and systems, through new projects or ways of working, and champion a learner-led approach to everything we do. 
• champion PiP meeting our regulatory and reporting requirements, manage key relationships including with local authorities, and hold budget responsibility across our service.

Who We Are

PIP is a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities or autism to achieve their potential, and to lead lives that are as independent as possible.  

Our mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our students.

What You’ll Need

• Significant experience of working with people with learning disabilities, or a similar vulnerable client group, including knowledge of Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA) processes.
• Significant experience of leading and managing a staff team.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to a person-centred approach to working with people with learning disabilities, including planning, progress monitoring and review.
• Experience of liaising with a wide network of agencies and sector professionals in support of student needs.
• Knowledge of national and local legislation and policy affecting people with learning disabilities, including personal budgets. Alongside knowledge of key legislation and processes including on Health & Safety and Risk Skills and abilities 
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Able to take a lead role in the implementation of major tasks, including contributing to the delivery of key performance management targets and making organisational and systems improvements.
• Able to manage and complete projects successfully, including delegating tasks and monitoring and evaluating progress against outcomes.
• Able to establish, develop and maintain constructive and professional relationships with a wide variety of professionals and carers both internally and externally.
• Able to liaise and work closely with student families, carers and other stakeholders in planning, implementing and monitoring support.
• Able to take a flexible approach to work, including flexible and out of hours working in response to service needs and developments.
• Willing and able to participate actively in a variety of fundraising events and activities, including some evening and weekend events.

What We Offer:

• You'll get 25 days holidays + bank holidays ever year. We're closed for Christmas but the rest of the year you may take leave whenever you wish.
• An extra day of annual leave for each year you've worked with us up to another 5 (30 in total)
• We offer a travel subsidy of up to £7.50 per day to help with the commuting costs.
• We provide a 4% pension contribution
• Free Employee Assistance programme 24/7 with access to counselling
• We offer regular team meals and socials - generally during work hours and they are optional.
• We offer a cycle-to-work scheme and as we're a charity you'll get access to savings like charityworkerdiscounts

Our Mission

PiP's mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our service users.

Our commitments

PiP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly applicants who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as people with lived experience of disabilities and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities. 

PiP keeps all personal information confidential and in line with current data protection legislation and GDPR. 

Closing Date: December 5th 2025

We encourage you to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the advert sooner subject to finding suitable candidates.  

The Partnerships Manager will play a pivotal role in delivering Youth Futures Foundation’s Employer Strategy.

You will embed and scale evidence-based practice across employer networks to create systemic change in how employers recruit, develop and retain young people.

This role suits someone skilled at translating strategy into delivery — influencing employer behaviour and embedding Youth Futures’ evidence into employer practice.

• You will bring experience of driving behaviour or practice change through partnerships, combined with a passion for tackling youth unemployment and a strong interest in equity, diversity and inclusion issues.
• You will need solid relationship-building and collaboration skills, and the ability to manage people and performance to deliver measurable impact.
• An understanding of how inclusive employment practices and workplace cultures can improve outcomes for young people — particularly those facing disadvantage.

This role can be based at our Birmingham, Leeds or London hub. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information on this role, please download our recruitment pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.